Opening Prayer for the Novena to St Matthew
Merciful God, you called St Matthew, a tax collector, to join the ranks of Your apostles. Through his example and intercession, guide me to faithfully follow Christ and remain steadfast in serving You.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Novena to St Matthew – Day One
Jesus said, ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven’ (Matthew 5:3).
Dear Jesus, I have sinned against You and against God. Each sin has distanced me from Your love, and for that, I am deeply sorry.
Though I am unworthy, You are my only hope. Please forgive me, save me, and guide me, for without You, I am lost.
St Matthew, you were among the blessed twelve who walked alongside Jesus, witnessing His greatness and the boundless grace of God.
You came to understand your own nothingness before Him. Help me to be truly poor in spirit, recognizing my need for God in every moment. Please intercede for me and ask Jesus to hear my urgent request, (State Request). Amen.
Novena to St Matthew – Day Two
Jesus said, ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted’ (Matthew 5:4).
Dear Jesus, despite the grave offenses I have committed against You and God, You still loved me so deeply that You gave Your life to free me and offer me eternal life in Heaven.
With all my heart, I beg Your forgiveness for ever having offended You. I know it was my sins that condemned You to die, and for that, I am deeply sorrowful. I love You more than I love myself and can do nothing apart from You.
Everything I am and all that I hope to be is because of Your grace and mercy alone.
St Matthew, once considered among the worst of sinners, You were still called by Jesus to be one of His apostles.
Help me to truly mourn for my sins and seek true repentance. Please intercede with Jesus and ask Him to grant my urgent request, (State Request). Amen.
Day Three
Jesus said, ‘Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the Earth’ (Matthew 5:5).
Dear Jesus, I know that I can do all things through You, who gives me strength, but it is not my will, but Yours that must be done.
I surrender my will to You, trusting in Your plan. Though evil may seem to prevail, its victories are fleeting, for it is the meek, not the wicked, who will inherit the Earth.
St Matthew, you left behind a life of privilege and worldly pleasures to follow God’s Word made flesh in Jesus, trusting completely that He would meet all your needs.
I know this was not easy, but your faith and meekness guided you. Help me to cultivate true meekness before God, depending on His strength in every step I take.
Please intercede for me and ask Jesus to grant my urgent request, (State Request). Amen.
Day Four
Jesus said, ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled’ (Matthew 5:6).
Dear Jesus, I long to be more like You. Lead me on the path of righteousness and guide me to live in perfect harmony with God’s will, accepting each step with trust and peace. Help me to act as You would in all things.
St Matthew, you gave up a life of worldly gain to follow Jesus and embrace the true riches of His way.
Inspire me to constantly seek righteousness as you did, and please intercede for me, asking Jesus to hear and grant my urgent request, (State Request). Amen.
Novena to St Matthew – Day Five
Jesus said, ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy’ (Matthew 5:7).
Dear Jesus, thank You for the countless times You have shown me mercy, even when I did not deserve it.
Thank You for comforting me in times of sickness and trouble. Help me to look upon everyone I meet with a tender heart, truly sharing in their pain and suffering. May I always be ready and eager to ease their burdens with a kind, affectionate, and joyful spirit.
St Matthew, as an apostle, you witnessed firsthand Jesus’ kindness and mercy, and were called to reflect it in the world.
Help me to follow His example, showing true compassion and mercy to others. Please intercede with Jesus on my behalf and ask Him to grant my urgent request, (State Request). Amen.
Novena to St Matthew – Day Six
Jesus said, ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God’ (Matthew 5:8).
Dear Jesus, I have often failed You by allowing my heart to become impure. Please forgive me for the times I have let my thoughts, words, decisions, and desires stray from Your will.
Help me to desire only what God desires, to think only what is good, and to love only what God loves. Please cleanse my heart of all evil thoughts and make it pure.
St Matthew, you understood the struggle of maintaining a pure heart, as you too faced the temptations of the flesh.
Help me to remain pure in heart, and please intercede with Jesus, asking Him to grant my urgent request, (State Request). Amen.
Novena to St Matthew – Day Seven
Jesus said, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God’ (Matthew 5:9).
Dear Jesus, above all, help me to find peace with God, for only in that peace can I truly live in harmony with others.
Guide me in doing whatever it takes to foster peace wherever I go, even when my efforts seem to fail. Fill my heart with a deep love and longing for peace.
Please forgive me for the times my actions have caused division or discord, whether intentionally or unintentionally.
St Matthew, you made peace with God through Jesus; now help me to do the same. Help me to be a peacemaker in my own life, spreading peace as a true witness to Christ.
Please intercede with Jesus on my behalf and ask Him to grant my urgent request, (State Request). Amen.
Novena to St Matthew – Day Eight
Jesus said, ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven’ (Matthew 5:10).
Dear Jesus, please help me to persevere in the struggle for what is holy and honorable, especially when I feel weak or discouraged.
Strengthen me to remain faithful to You in all things, so that Your will may be done in and through my life. Grant me boldness in my faith and unwavering commitment to all that is godly.
St Matthew, you stood courageously for God’s truth even when faced with persecution. Guide me to be just as brave in standing up for righteousness.
Please intercede with Jesus on my behalf, asking Him to grant my urgent request, (State Request). Amen.
Novena to St Matthew – Day Nine
Jesus said, ‘Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me’ (Matthew 5:11).
Dear Jesus, as the world grows darker, following Your ways often invites insult and persecution, just as it did for You. If I truly live by Your light and love, I may be mocked or mistreated, but I accept that because I live for You and for God.
Though sin may bring temporary pleasure to others, I no longer desire to live in that way, for I now understand how much You sacrificed for me in love by dying on the cross.
I choose to leave the darkness behind. When I am insulted for following You, give me the strength to endure it with patience and love.
Saint Matthew, you were chosen as one of the apostles and faced persecution, just as Jesus did. You knew that suffering for His sake was a great honor, for He is not just a man, but truly God.
Help me to love the light of Jesus and turn away from the darkness of sin. When persecution comes, give me the courage to bear it faithfully.
Please intercede with Jesus on my behalf and ask Him to grant my urgent request, (State Request).
Amen.
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